Materials Needed

Instructions

First, flatten out one end of a straw. The easiest way to do this is to bite on it.

With a pair of scissors, cut the flattened end of the straw in an upside-down "V" shape. This will act as a reed just like in a clarinet.

Place the "V" end of the straw in your mouth so that the "V" end is just past the inside of you lips.

Press on the "V" with your lips while blowing. This might take some practice. You may have to separate the "V" a bit.

Here's another cool thing that you can do. Cut the straw and then blow on it. Hear how the pitch is higher?

Now it's time to experiment. See if you can make a musical instrument that uses vibrations in other ways. When you're done, send your reports to our special feedback area. Be sure to tell us what materials you used and what happened. Every week we'll post new results from ZOOMers' musical instrument experiments. Share your results with the world, right here at ZOOM!

Mustaf, age 10 of Arlington, VA wrote:
It worked perfectly. It was easy to play songs on it too! I will pass this on to generations!!!

Jessica, age 10 of McLean, VA wrote:
this how you start okay it really sounded like a kazzo the zoomer should try it

B School of HI wrote:
it worked it made a high pitch sound

B School of RI wrote:
At first when I tried it when it was not cut, it made a low pitch nosie but when I cut it, it made a high pitch nosie.

B School of HI wrote:
when I did this project it my blowing noise got higher

B School of HI wrote:
the pitch was higher than before.

B School of PE wrote:
It made a higher pitch because it had more air in it.

B School of HI wrote:
After you cut the straw in its "v" shape it will make a higher pitch sound. The reason why is becauseof the v. it worked but it coud of worked better.

B School of NM wrote:
it made a higher pitch because it made more air in it

B School of NJ wrote:
In the first part, the straw had a high pitch. That happened because the shape of the "V". It worked. In the second part, the straw made an even higher pitch. The reason why is because more air got to come in. This part worked even better than the first.

B School of HI wrote:
The staw made avery low rummbling sound but when you cut it the straw made a high pitch.

B School of CT wrote:
I dont think it worked, but I might of did it wrong?

Daisy, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
at first it didn't work then I tried again and it did work

Makeyan, age 12 of Farmington wrote:
When I started it I couldn't get but then I didn't put as much pressure on it I got it and it made a noise.

Mac, age 12 of Farmington, NM wrote:
noting happened I just ran out of breath

Kaley, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
I didn't get it and when I finally did I only held it for like half a second and then I couldn't get it again.

Cheyenne, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
I did it bit it was funny. when I was laughed I though it was funny.

Grace, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
I couldn't get my straw kazoo to work it might of been because I didn't cut it right

Makayla, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
well that was really FUN!!! And at first I couldn't get but, I kept trying and it finally made a sound!!! It's so fun!! It really fun with my friends as well!! So try it out!!

Henry, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
i was able to do the noise with the straw it had a high pitch noise

Raeann, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
It made a weird kazoo like sound it was really cool, it almost sounds like someone screaming at the top of their lungs.

Raquel, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
when I did it was so cool because of all the sounds it made!!! that was so fun!!!

Alejandro, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
I did it in the first try but then I cut them and I got a cool noise

Valerie, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
It almost worked but it work for a little bit well I think that was fun.

Brandon, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
The sound came out very loud when I did it and I like the sound.

Mercedes, age 12 of NM wrote:
I bluw in it and it started making noise

Brittany, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
when I first tried it I did not like it but now I do like it because I now how to do it.

Cole, age 12 of Farmington, NM wrote:
it started all low and as I cut the straw it got higher and higher until it got to short.

Claudia, age 11 of Farmington, NM wrote:
Well, when I tried to cut my straw... it wasn't really too successful ha ha. So I didn't really get to do it except for 1 or 2 hums.

Cody, age 12 of Aztec, NM wrote:
It made a loud sound. (HINT:USE YOUR LIPS, NOT TEETH!)

Quentin, age 11 wrote:
it was fun but it did not work

Devihn, age 11 of Farmigton, NM wrote:
this is a good experament it works. its useful

Wuaneisha, age 12 of Farmington, NM wrote:
I blew on it but it didn't it make a sound. I am light headed right now. I thought your experiment was cool. I liked it, i'll try it later.